The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as there are no legal grounds to assign a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6260. For ED, the RO has already granted service connection and assigned the minimum (zero percent) evaluation allowed by law.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied because the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6260 is already assigned. The claim for ED has been granted and a zero percent evaluation is the minimum allowed by law.
- Claimed conditions
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Tinnitus, Erectile Dysfunction (ED), Traumatic Cataract (claimed as eye floaters), Right Shoulder Disability, Bilateral Foot Calluses, Scar, Right Ankle, Hypertension, Left Elbow Disability, Right Wrist Disability, Bilateral Hand Disability, Left Hip Disability, Bilateral Knee Disability, Left Ankle Disability, Bunion of Both Feet, Bilateral Pes Planus, Sleep Apnea
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 22, 2016
- Citation
- 1611498
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1611498.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and service.
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